HYPER MIND - Hyperoxia Effects on Cerebral Hemodynamics

This study aims to better understand how short periods of exposure to high oxygen levels affect blood flow in the brain of patients who are intubated and mechanically ventilated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Many ICU patients receive more oxygen than strictly necessary, and high blood oxygen levels (hyperoxemia) are very common. However, the immediate effects of short hyperoxic exposures on cerebral circulation and autoregulation remain poorly understood. In this study, patients who already require mechanical ventilation for medical reasons will undergo a brief and controlled increase in the oxygen delivered through the ventilator (FiO₂). During this time, we will continuously monitor blood flow in one of the main brain arteries using a non-invasive ultrasound technique called transcranial Doppler (TCD). The goal is to evaluate how cerebral blood flow, pulsatility, and autoregulatory capacity change during and after a short hyperoxic stimulus. No additional invasive procedures are required beyond standard ICU monitoring, except for the temporary adjustment of the ventilator's oxygen settings and arterial blood gas sampling, which are part of usual care in critically ill patients. Participation does not provide direct clinical benefit but may help improve future oxygen management in ICU patients. The study involves minimal risk, as short hyperoxic exposures are already common in routine care and will be interrupted immediately in case of any adverse event.